Perlite On Bottom Of Pot

Discussion in 'Coco Coir' started by stringaling420, May 22, 2014.

  1. I have a habit of overwatering alot in veg. So you think it would be good to fill the bottom my pot up 1/3 almost half way with perlite. Then mix more perlite in my mix of advance sunshine #4. Will be alright.. Note I don't mind to water everyday, I'm just looking for better and faster drainage..
     
  2. i would just mix the extra perite in if you want better drainage. layering it on the bottom doesn't sound like a great idea.
     
  3. May I ask why it would be a bad idea for it on the bottom?
     
  4. I'd say mix it on with the coco rather than layer. I cant base that on anything just what I would do. I guess roots like to collect at the bottom of pots where its consistently the moistest. But if that was all perlite it could possibly dry out too fast. Another solid option for quick drainage is JJ's 33% coco, 33% perlite, and 33% hydroton. 
     
  5. J j's? I'm using advance sunshine #4 with more perlite.. but I'm also pouring water on the bottom to keep it moist. I'm checking it everyday. Also I'm using airpots.
     
  6. An I want it to the point where I water everyday.
     
  7.  
    i'm no weed scientist or anything, but i can only assume that the roots will grow down into that perlite where it would be dry and contain no nutrients.
    this is just an assumption though..
     
  8. Well so far it's been working alright.. my problem is I have a habit of overwatering in veg..
     
  9. Wouldn't it be easier to just change your watering habit? ;)



    Sent from my ADR6400L using Grasscity Forum mobile app
     
  10. Sounds to me like a Hempy bucket.
     
  11. I actually just did this 2 weeks ago. I was getting a fungal gnat problem coming from the roots. I read before add a layer of perlite on top when it's on top to stop the cycle.
    4 days later no gnats however my roots were growing crazy fast at the same time so in a week I went from a solo to a 1 gal to the roots growing out the bottom.

    Sent from my SCH-I605 using Grasscity Forum mobile app
     
  12. #12 snoopdog6502, Aug 1, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 1, 2014
    Google perched water table. People do all kinds of silly things.
     
    Fuck that gravel, stone ,perlite idea.
     
    [​IMG]
     
  13. I can tell you from experience that straight perlite will need to be changed out every couple months. I was using perlite as my wicking medium and it got "funky" to the point that once roots grew into it all plants would show signs of pH lockout. If you insist on using anything in the bottom of your pots I would recommend hydroton since it can be washed and reused but like Snoop posted you are just reducing the space available to your roots... It is never very effective or efficient to adjust your parameters when it is the process that is flawed... Learn how to water a plant. I have a problem of when and how much to water seedlings so instead of trying to find a way that I can keep f'ing that up I devised a self watering system to use that allows the plant to uptake water at the rate it chooses and yet also keeps the medium moist but not saturated.
     

Share This Page